DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Help” opens next week on August 10th. This is definitely a movie that I would love to take A1 and see (she’s a book-lover like me). We’ll have to see if Baby C is willing to let us go without her, though.

DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Help”

For those that have not read the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name (which I admit includes me. I plan to download it to my Nook over the weekend, though.), “The Help” stars Emma Stone as Skeeter, Viola Davis as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny. These three characters are all very different women in Mississippi during the 1960s. Together they form a friendship around a secret writing project that puts them all at risk. At it’s core, “The Help” is a story about the ability to create change.

Whether you have or have or have not yet read the book you might want to consider a “The Help” book group with your friends. I’ve never actually joined or started a book group and probably wouldn’t have the first idea where to start. Fortunately DreamWorks Pictures have put together a great free book club kit with recipes and a guide to get you started. You can download it here.

I also have an awesome prize pack to give away to you all! One winner will receive all these:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Please note: Rafflecopter does occasionally take a few extra seconds to load, so if you don’t see it right away, please give it a moment.

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I apologize for being mostly MIA for the past few days, other than getting a few of the deals posted for you. It’s been extra hectic at work (I work full-time; not sure if I’ve ever thought to share that, or not), plus all the regular household stuff we all have going on. I’ll be more on my game now as things have temporarily quieted.

Pooh and Friends

I did want to share the reminder that the Winnie the Pooh movie comes out tomorrow! You definitely want to take the kiddos to see it – or even go and see it by yourself. Over the weekend we had the pleasure of attending a special screening of it and – oh my. So sweet! I love that they stayed true to the “old” feeling of Pooh by using the hand-drawn art style. Narrated by John Cleese (love him!), the story has the gang on a quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. Plus trying to find a new tail for Eeyore (who has always been one of my favorite Disney characters)! The kiddos gave it a 4 out of 5, and I’d give it a 5, myself. There’s one part where Pooh uses his belly as a drum that was particularly appreciated by the folks in the theater.

Pooh and his Hunny Pot

Pooh is one of Baby C’s favorite characters, too, right now – her eyes light up when she sees him and she loves on her stuffed Pooh Bear and Eeyore when she naps in her swing or in her car seat while we’re driving. So when this comes out on DVD, it’s going to be a must-buy, for sure. I honestly think that you and your family will love this film, too.

The great folks at Disney and Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios have also released some awesome activities and recipes. There are a couple of cake pop recipes from Bakerella herself (love her stuff), plus additional sweet treats and crafts. You can find the entire collection here.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch any of the previews for this film yet, here’s a trailer for you:

It’s an exciting summer for a Disney fan like me. First the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Now Disney*Pixar’s Cars 2 which revs into theaters in Disney 3D tomorrow, June 24th! And right around the corner are a number of other Disney films that I’ll be sharing with you as we get closer to the release dates.

Disney*Pixar’s Cars 2

Cars 2 has star racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and tow truck Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) taking their friendship to exciting new places. They head overseas together to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. The road to the championship is filled with potholes, detours and surprises when Mater gets caught up in international espionage! Mater has to decide between helping Lightning McQueen or helping with the top-secret mission led by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voiced by Emily Mortimer). The journey leads Mater on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe being watched by the whole world.

The folks at Disney have put together a huge collection of great free activities for Cars 2 fans, as well. There are crafts, recipes and activity sheets. Check out the samples below and then download the entire collection here.

Tow Mater Cookies

Lightning McQueen Air Freshener

Tire Track T-Shirts

For more fun Disney*Pixar’s Cars 2 information, text CARS to DISNEY (347639), check out their website, “like” them on Facebook and follow their updates on Twitter!

Now for the giveaway! Win a Cars 2 prize pack including a t-shirt, puzzle and 2 sheets of temporary tattoos.

Disney*Pixar’s Cars 2 Prize Pack

Please fill out the form below and tell me what size youth t-shirt you’d like (sponsor will try their best on sizes). You can do as many or as few of the other optional entries as you would like.

Giveaway open to those residents of the US ages 18 and older. The giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 3rd. I will select a winner with Random.org and the winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be selected.

Arr, matey! Are you as excited to see Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as I am? I have been a fan of the franchise since the day I saw the first one announced. I am a huge Disney fan and throw in some pirates and Mr. Johnny Depp himself? Well, I’m there with an eye patch on!

(Fun Fact: Can you spot the “hidden Mickey” in the promotional poster above?)

PotC4 sails into theaters in Disney Digital 3D on Friday, May 20th. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow who, while searching for the Fountain of Youth, crosses paths with Angelica (Penelope Cruz). She forces him onto the ship “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Geoffery Rush returns as Captain Barbossa and Kevin McNally reprises his role as Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs. There are new additions to the cast, too, including Phillip (Sam Claflin), a missionary, and Syrena (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), a mysterious mermaid.

Want to see more? Check out PotC4 on Facebook and Twitter. And here is an extended trailer:

The black carpet world premiere was held on Saturday on Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland in California. Pirate Mickey was on hand to have some fun with the cast!

Pirate Mickey with Penelope Cruz (Angelica)

I will be attending the local premiere here in Louisville early next week in order to share my review of the movie with you. Until then, though, how about some pirate booty to tide you over?

You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Giveaway open to both U.S. and Canadian residents. Giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24th. I will use Random.org to select a winner and they will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is providing the prize pack; I received no compensation and all opinions are 100% mine.

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Copyright 2009-2013, Views From the 'Ville. All rights reserved. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship or other compensation. This blog may contain affiliate links within posts. All opinions shared are the honest opinion of myself and my family. Others' experiences may differ. Views From the 'Ville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com